Other than the heat, a city break to New York is a great idea during the summer. The city comes to life as both locals and tourists enjoy the nice sunny weather after many months of long, cold winter. From the parks to the festivals, there is literally thousands of things to see and do in NYC this summer. Check out a few of the highlights below.

Coney Island

For generations people have been coming to Coney Island for summertime fun. With old-school rides, the famous hotdog eating contest, and classic amusement park games, Coney Island is a blast for visitors of all ages. After all the thrills, head over to the beach, which is right next to Coney Island, for a dip in the water.

An Afternoon in the Park

New York City has a number of really nice parks. The most famous, Central Park, is filled with people every day of summer. You can enjoy people watching, meet up with a local group for a run, or pack a picnic and just enjoy the sun. Don’t miss the other great parks though like the High Line which runs above the city on an old train track or the Brooklyn Bridge Park which has a great view of the Manhattan skyline.

Outdoor Summer Concerts & Shows

NYC’s park are put to good use all summer long with plenty of both free and paid concerts and shows. Check out the free Shakespeare in the Park but don’t assume it’s just old shakespearean plays. The stage has featured stars from Meryl Streep to Martin Sheen. Another great free option is to catch one of the weekly free films at Bryant Park.

Free Kayaking

Risking a dunk in the Hudson River isn’t everyone’s idea of fun but with free Kayaking every Wednesday night, all summer long, plenty of people are willing to take the risk. The kayak lessons are given out on a first come first serve bases from the Downtown Boathouse.

Festivals

Time your visit right, and you might just be able to catch one of the many great summer festivals in New York City. River to River is a month long event that takes over lower Manhattan with art exhibits and concerts. The Parked Food Truck Festival celebrates the amazing diversity of the city’s cuisine while the Brooklyn Festival throws a party that honors the heritage and vibrancy of this unique neighborhood.

Summer Restaurant Week

If you really want to get a taste for great New York City food, plan your visit during Summer Restaurant Week. Usually held in late July or in early August, Restaurant Week is a great time to score dinner at well-known, award-winning restaurants without spending a fortune.

4th of July

The ultimate summer event in New York City has to be the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show. This is the largest fireworks show in the country, with over 40,000 fireworks being shot off from barges on the river. In addition to the fireworks, there are also a number of music guests and stages set up along the riverfront viewing area. Make sure you show up early to get a good spot.

Life is one great balancing act - between work, family, love and health, keeping all the moving parts working together truly is an art. I'm Sasha and my blog is about keeping all these parts working together to create harmony. Check out my about page for more about me.